My Messy Experiment with Deadly Strike
Okay so yesterday I was running my Zeal Paladin through Chaos Sanctuary when this unique War Spike drops. Had “Deadly Strike” mod on it. Thought cool, extra damage maybe. But then I realized – I don’t actually know wtf Deadly Strike really does in D2. Time to find out.
First Step: Smacking Dummies
Grabbed that War Spike and went to Act 1 training dummies. Started whacking while counting damage numbers like a nerd:
- Normal hits: 200-250 damage
- Flashy yellow hits: BAM 400-500 damage
- Happened like 25% of swings with that weapon
Took me 30 minutes but figured it out – Deadly Strike just doubles your physical damage when it procs. Simple but brutal.
The Real Struggle Begins
Problem is my Paladin sucks at making it trigger often. Only 25% chance ain’t cutting it against Hell Baal. Started digging through my mules’ gear like a raccoon in trash:
- Found Highlord’s Wrath ammy – gives 37% Deadly Strike at my level
- Socketed my helm with that rainbow jewel with 15% DS
- Equipped Laying of Hands gloves – no DS but massive demon damage bonus
Went from 25% to damn near 80% chance. Felt like cheating.
Live Testing on Monsters
Took the new setup to Blood Moor. Those quill rat things never knew what hit em:
- Regular zeal hits took 3-4 swings to kill
- When DS triggered? One-shot splatterfest
- Against Act 5 Yetis? Went from 10+ hits to 5-6 kills
But here’s the kicker – against physical immune ghosts? Still useless. DS only works on physical damage. Felt like an idiot wasting time on those.
What Actually Works
After wasting half my afternoon:
- Best sources: Highlord’s (ammy), Guillaume’s Face (helm), Gore Rider (boots)
- Stacking multiple sources adds together (no diminishing returns!)
- Crushing Blow is NOT Deadly Strike – that’s percentage health chomp
- Works stupid good on fast-attacking builds like Fury Druids
Last Thoughts
Deadly Strike ain’t magic but damn it shreds. If your build attacks fast and deals physical damage, stack this shit like pancakes. Just don’t be like me testing it on ghosts like a dumbass.